Snowshoe Grouse Mountain

A 25 minute drive outside of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is a great escape from the city for a myriad of winter activities. If you can swallow the pricey ticket for the gondola ride and accompanying activities at the top, you’ll be welcomed by spectacular views with relatively little effort. Whether it be skiing, snowshoeing or simply taking the gondola to the top of the mountain for some food brews, its a fun adventure.

From North Vancouver take Highway 1 to the Capilano Road exit and take that all of the way to the Grouse Mountain parking lot. It is here you’ll buy your tickets and board the gondola. The gondola itself isn’t anything revolutionary, but as you climb up the views become increasingly spectacular as it whisks you away to the Peak Chalet at 3700 ft.

Once you get off the gondola it’s a short 50 yard walk to the start of the snowshoe trails (note: you can rent snowshoes at the mountain if you didn’t bring your own). While the trails themselves aren’t expansive, there is more than enough trail and distance for any skill level. If you are going for a leisurely stroll and prefer minimal elevation, you can partake in the Blue Grouse Loop (1km) or combine that with the Whistler Water Way for an additional 1.1km. If you are ready for a strenuous, leg-burning workout, take the Snowshoe Grind all of the way to the top of Dam Mountain – a 4.3km long, 705 ft. elevation gain trail. And, if you’ve still not had enough you can walk along Discovery Loop for another 1.4km. Whenever you decided to turn around and head back down to the Peak Chalet, you’ll be greeted by spectacular panoramic views of the city of Vancouver and its surroundings as you descend.